TU-L0000 - Research Methods in Industrial Engineering and Management D, Lecture, 6.9.2022-29.11.2022

Guest access
Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The participants will obtain a basic understanding of research methodology in the relevant scientific fields. These including the knowledge of research design, philosophies of science, key ethical principles, and professional skills and knowledge related to becoming a successful academic.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 06.09.2022 - 29.11.2022

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Henri Schildt

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation): Instructor’s contact information:

Henri Schildt
henri.schildt@aalto.fi
X211 in Ekonominaukio 1
No office hours, as agreed via e-mail

Course coordinator:
Riitta Rönnqvist
riitta.ronnqvist@aalto.fi

Level: PhD students 2022, 1st and 2nd period (6.9. – 1.12.2022)
English
Primary course website (MyCourses):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course serves as an introductory course to research methods in industrial management and to successfully carrying out one's PhD dissertation. The course is designed to assist the student in making sense of four key questions concerning the methodology of a successful PhD dissertation: 1) What constitutes a good research problem; 2) what are the criteria for scientific knowledge, fit to be used in solving one's research problem; 3) what kinds of research designs can be used to produce such knowledge; and 4) how to report findings in order to make a scientific contribution.

  • applies in this implementation

    PREREQUISITES 

    There are no specific prerequisites for the course.

     LEARNING OUTCOMES 

    The participants will obtain a basic understanding of research methods and research design in the domain of management, including the knowledge of key ethical principles and skills related to designing research projects, conducting literature review, and publishing the findings. The course will also provide an understanding of key conventions, institutions, and processes of academic life.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course is graded based on a pre-exam, individual pre-assignments, and the final assignment. The weighs of different criteria are indicated below:
    1. Pre-exam (20%)
    2. Weekly individual pre-assignments (40%)
    3. Final assignment (40%)
    Regular attendance required. Students are allowed to miss two sessions without further repercussions.

  • applies in this implementation

    ASSIGNMENTS 

    All assignments are returned to the course learning space in Aalto MyCourses website. If an assignment is returned after the DL, some point(s) are deducted in the grading of the assignment.

    Pre-exam 

    Please see the instructions on MyCourses. The deadline for pre-exam is 16.9.2022 at 9pm. 

    Individual pre-assignments 

    The individual pre-assignments are available in MyCourses and they are due by the end of Friday. Please note that the first pre-assignment is for session #2 (DL 16.9.). 

    Final assignment 

    The final assignment asks students to answer three questions relating to the concept of scientific contribution, the choice of research methods in your thesis research, and general reflection on key learning from the course. The comprehensive guidelines will be available in MyCourses.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    33 h Classroom hours
    46 h Class preparation & pre-assignments
    25 h Pre-exam preparation
    31 h Final reflection essay
    Total 135 h (5 cr)

DETAILS

Study Material

  • applies in this implementation

    Please note that in the electronic (Kindle) edition of the book, the word field is systematically misspelled Weld. Similarly “fit” is sometimes misspelled “Wt”.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 No teaching
    2023-2024 No teaching

    Enrollment : Registration for Courses: In the academic year 2021-2022, registration for courses will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi) instead of WebOodi. Course attendance is restricted to Industrial Engineering and Management PhD students.

Details on the schedule

  • applies in this implementation

    All teaching takes place in the room TU6 (Maarintie 8).


    Course Schedule
    SessionDateTopicLecturer
    #1 6.9.Course kick-off – what is theory?Henri Schildt 
    13.9.-- no session -- 
    #220.9.Research design and theoretical contributions Henri Schildt 
    #3 27.9. Philosophy of social sciences – epistemology and ontology Henri Schildt 
    #4 4.10. How and why do a literature review Barbara Burkhard 
    11.10.-- no session -- 
    #5 18.10. Inference in quantitative research, basics of regression models Mikko Rönkkö 
    #6 25.10. Measurement and research design Mikko Rönkkö
    #7 1.11. Writing for journals – argumentation and clarity Henri Schildt 
    #8 8.11. Formal models and simulations Jens Schmidt 
    #9 15.11. Research ethics Antti Rousi, Enrico Glerean, & Annukka Jyrämä 
    22.11. -- no session -- 
    #10 29.11. Academic careers and conferences Henri Schild


Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof